The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) has dismissed Bayer's claims that the varroa mite is the biggest threat to bees as 'nonsense'
Keith Tyrell, director of PAN UK, says that comments made by Dr Stephen Humphreys of Bayer CropScience were 'nothing more than propaganda' and insisted that there is a link between the three banned neonictinoids and a decline in bee populations.
Tyrell explained: 'First, pinning the blame for declines solely on the varroa parasite is nonsense. The varroa mite only attacks honey bees. Yet we are seeing similar declines in other bee species – in fact nearly all wild insect pollinators are in trouble.
'New scientific reports reinforcing the link between neonicotinoids and pollinator declines are being published constantly. I recently read a new study that showed that exposure to neonics damages bee immune systems, making them more susceptible to diseases like nosema.'
In an exclusive interview with FPJ at this year's Fruit Focus, Humphreys insisted that neonicotinoids were not causing a decline in pollinator populations and that the varroa mite was the biggest threat.
He said: 'In Australia they have been using neonicotinoids for 20 years and have the healthiest bees in the world. Why? Their agri-climate has no varroa mites.'
However, Tyrell disagrees and says Bayer is simply trying to protect its financial interests as a pesticide company ahead of the ban later this year.
He added: 'Bayer points to Australia, where neonics are widely used on the tiny proportion of the Australian land mass that is cultivated, but varroa is not present, to support its argument.
'However, it conveniently fails to recognise the large differences between the Australian and European environments. Australia has a massive reserve of wild forage – in particular eucalyptus – which provides an alternative to neonic-treated crops and reduces bee exposure. What is more, beekeepers in the most intensively farmed areas are now beginning to report similar problems to their European colleagues.'
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